Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-01-07
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Annual Message of Governor For
aker to the Legislature.
State Analrs Exhaustivcly Discussed-Im-
portant Recommendations Regard
ing tho Spring Election, Tax
alton and Finances.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,

The recent elections did much to dispol the
dlstrust that has obtained throughout the coun
Ss nrsnea hv nnr NoiSno ,ro p1'rS m y.
gard TO the protection OF American labor ant
industries. II can now bo stated with great
confidence that no political party will bo nj
lowed, however much II may desire TO do so, tC
break down that wise and patriotic policy &c
which we arc so much indebted for the unex
nmpled prosperity We have enjoyed during the
Inst quarter OF u century. The assurance thus
afforded is already benctlcially manifesting
WIZ S, a Uu, ousihuss ~ @ @ a.
this regard, there will be u full return of that
commercial and industrial activity which will
bring the rich blessings OF Just rewards and
happy contcntmont TO all classes OF our people.
This is Just cause OF congrntuation for all.
But you are to be further congratulated. Ex.
pericnco has shown the wisdom and efficiency
of your labors at the last session.
When YOU convened, the most difficult and
the most important duty presented related to
The question OF "a free ballot and fair
count was before you In an immediate and a
practical way.
Men had been returned, as elected. to both
branches OF your body who had no shadow OF
claim 10 the seats they held, except by virtue OF
open, notorious and conceded frauds at the
polls and in the returns. And not only had the
very foundations of free popular government
been thus assailed, but what. was far worse and
more alarming was the manifestation OF a wide
spread and wicked determination to defend
these iniqultics, and, II possible, for the mere
sake OF partisan advantage, appropriate their
Your first duty was TO give effect to the
will OF the people us 1t had been ex-
pressed at the Dallotbox by purging your
body OF those so wrongiully returned
as members; and your second highest duty was
10 enact such provisions MS would guard in the
greatest degree possible against n repetition OF
such crimes.
You discharged both duties we'll. The mem.
bers elected by the people were duly seated,
and repetition of the humilintng experience
through which you We're compelled to pass was
guarded against by the enactment OF better cleo
ton laws applicable to the cities where those
troubles arose, and where similar ones were
likely TO occur in the future. The Pugsley law,
which You irst enacted and made applicable to
the cities Of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus
and Toledo, gave great satisfaction, but it was
not sufficiently complete TO fully guard against
all dangers and the Registration act, applicable
TO Cincinnati and Cleveland, followed. This
statute cannot be too highly commended. 1t
has given universal and unqualified satisfaction
10 Qll well.meaning citizens of both political
parties. II has enabled the people OF Cincinnati
TO have quiet, decent and honest election. 1t
Is not known how to express for IL higher or
more significant culogy. With such results 10
commend II, argument is unnecessary to show
that II should be ut once extended 10 all the
larger cities OF the State, especially to Coum-
bus and Toledo,
The slightly increased expense, trouble and
Inconvenience of registration are amply com
pensnted In many ways. 1t is enough that IL
secures orderly elections with honest results
and without any investigations or election con-
tests, with their attendant expenses and irr-
tations, to follow and rrolong the excitements
considering the subject OF elections, there is
another matter TO which you should give atten
tion. There has recently been much discussion
in the newspapers OF the State concerning the
tions
1t is difficult in view OF the experience we
have had, TO assign any satisfactory reason for
having two elections annually 1t will save ex
pense, time, labor and excitement to have all
our elections for each year on the same day.
The constitution has been so amended as 10
ndmit OF u provision TO that effect, and 1t is ac-
cordingly recommended that you enact IL.
1t is further recommended that you give. due
consideration to the suggestion that has been
made that II We have all our elections on the
same day, that day should be made legal holi-
day. We cannot attach too much Importance
To the elective franchise.
When all these safeguards have been adopted,
there is one other matter of great Importance
that should receive consideration. At your
last session practical demonstration was
Afforded OF the fact that the State government
might be obstructed and practically overthrown
by sutncient number OF the members OF either
branch OF your body abandoning their seats and
duties and going and remaining beyond the ter
ritorial limits of the State. 1t had never oc-
CURED TO the legislative mind to anticipate any
such action. AS u consequence, when num-
Der OF the Senators saw fit TO take such n step
during the last session. II was discovered that
there were no legal means whereby they might
be brought back or otherwise proceeded against.
You should enact law providing that any
State official who abandons his post of duty and
goes beyond the State to avoid being compelled
TO perform II, shall be deemed guilty of an Of
fence OF suincient gravity TO make him subject
10 eNtradition upon the rcquisition OF the Gov
ernor.
The people of Cincinnati are greatly indebted
TO you also for the law enacted NJ your last ses.
sion, providing for the organization and govern
ment, in that city of the police force by u Board
of Commissioners and the Mayor.
The board appointed under that law, have, in
connection with the Mayor OF that city, labored
with great earncstncss, constancy and success
to to discharge their important duties, As result,
% n
any city in the country.
Both this polre Law and the election laws
that have been mentioned are non.partsan in
character. there being on each board an equal
number OF members from each of tile two polt-
ical parties. This is as II should be. Whatever
may be said of non-partisan boards and legisla-
tion concerning other subjects, the elections and
constabulary should be always equally controlled
by both parties, no matter which may be in
power. II is of the utmost Importance that we
not only have honest elections, but that all par
ties have confidence In their fairness, TO the end
that there may be ready and cheerful acquies.
cence in the results. This can be best obtained
by equal participation and cooperation in all
that pertains to the exercise OF the right OF suf-
frage. In every large city the police are an i'm
portant feature Of all elections. They are u
great power for evil II SO disposed, and equally
great power for good II they desire to be.
They are most likely to do their duty faithfully
and impartially on such occasions when or
ganized and controlled on q non.partisan
basis, particularly when they act in
aid and as a part of n partisan election. In
addition, their duty OF preserving the peace and
protecting tho rights OF person and property
makes IL improper to involve them in politics,
not in the same degree, but in the same sense,
that 1t would be to similarly involve the judic.
larry. 1t is hoped, therefore, that no changes
will be made in any OF these statutes except such
US experience mny show are necessary TO make
them more efficient.
1t has been currently reported in the news
papers and otherwise that an effort will be made
TO secure Mt your hands some important legisln-
ton touching municipal government generally
and Affecting the city OF Cincinnati particularly.
This will bring before YOU for consideration a
very important subject.
In all that may be done due regard should be
observed for the idea that, so far as may be pos
sible, every city should govern itself. The mu-
nicpal corporation is the creature OF the State,
and so far us legal right Is concerned, the State
may govern II in any way il may choose. But
local sclfgovernment is the very genius OF
American institutions and no community should
be deprived OF it except in extraordinary emer-
gencies, such as existed at Cincinnati, TO de-
mnnd and justify the legislation with respect to
the boards of that city that was had at the last
session.
AS soon, therefore, as It may be found safe to
DO so, complete control OF their government in
Guiding the selection of all their officials, should
be restored TO the people of that city. In this
way the responsibility for local government is
placed, not only where II properly belongs, but
also where there is the highest interest TO make
itenlcient In determining the kind OF municipal
government we are TO have, il should be borne
in mind that experience has shown that we
should have as few elective officials of minor
character us possible, and likewise rs few cX-
tNhNlNN VI US pOhhlDltt anu
that all we do have, instead OF being indepen-
dent OF each other and responsible To nobody
should be subordinate heads, responsible and
accountable as such TO one common final author
ity, which should appoint all the boards and
other officials IL is thought best 10 select in that
way, and have the power of approval as TO all
appointments made by its appointces aud also
have in all cases the right OF removal. This
concentrates great deal Of power, but II is
necessary 10 fix responsibility, and is not only
well calculated To make the people careful in
their selection, but also gives TO them the ability
10 call the right men to account, and thus more
certainly and directly control and determine
their affairs
In this connection your attention is called
10 the fact that the provisions OF sec
uon 1916 OF the Revised Statutes pro
yides that cities OF the second class
when advanced TO rcities OF the first class,
shallconsttute the fourth grade of that class and
that the provisions OF section 17OS OF the Re
vsed Statutes, which provide what officials cities
OF the first class shall have, do not apply TO
cities OF the fourth grade OF that class The
consequence Is that city OF the second-cass,
rdyanced 10 the fourth grade OF the first class,
could not have any OF the benefits provided in
hat forf a nalt of ri